Volunteers take Fort Drum soldiers fishing on Oneida Lake (video)

Until Saturday, Cpl. Thomas Lindskog had never been in a boat. And after his first fishing experience, he can boast catching — and releasing — a sheepshead, four smallmouth bass and two pickerel.

Lindskog, 22, who is originally from around the Mojave Desert in California, recently was transferred to Fort Drum from South Korea. He was with a group of 78 Fort Drum soldiers who netted some fun at Oneida Lake Shores County Park.

The outing, like any operation, began with a briefing on the rules, mainly reminders about New York state laws regarding fishing seasons and wearing life vests. Organizers raffled two Dobyn fishing rods with U.S. Reels, each valued at $400.

Take a Soldier Fishing

Take a Soldier FishingNY BASS Chapter Federation volunteers treated soldiers from Ft. Drum to a day of fishing at Oneida Lake Shores County Park, as part of the national 'Take a Soldier Fishing' program.

The 10th Mountain Division came to the lake as part of the New York State BASS Federation’s second Take a Soldier Fishing Day. Forty-five boats were assembled with volunteer anglers from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania..

The outing cost the soldiers nothing.

“It’s a way for the local community, bass anglers and businesses to say ‘thank you’ to the soldiers for what they do for us on a daily basis,” said Burnie Haney, 49, of Calcium. Haney’s the public relations officer for the BASS Federation, which is made up of around 1,200 members in 55 clubs throughout New York.

John Berry / The Post-StandardCorporal Richard Turner casts over Sergeant Jessica Utley Saturday on the Oneida River on a boat owned by Rick Kidston, of Sherrill. Soldiers stationed at Fort Drum were taken out onto Oneida Lake by the New York chapter of the BASS Federation as part of Take a Soldier Fishing. It is the second year the organization has hosted the event on Oneida Lake.
The first catch, a huge carp, weighed 31.07 pounds.
As boats returned, BASS Federation volunteers treated the Fort Drum soldiers to a picnic and more than 65 giveaways, including hats and gift certificates for Gander Mountain and a book on bass fishing.
For soldiers recently back from conflict zones, a solid day of R&R on the lake served as a potent reminder of their mission.
“Personally, this is one of the reasons why we’re over there — to protect stuff like this, our freedom,” said Sgt. Allen Janssen, 49. Janssen returned from Iraq in June 2009, where his unit coordinated civil infrastructure and training of Iraqi military and police in both Baghdad and Basra.
Other soldiers are heartened by the show of gratitude and enjoy the opportunity for camaraderie.
“It means a lot for someone to take time out of their day to say ‘thank you’ for what you’re doing,” said Cpl. Jessie Arrowood, 21, from South Carolina. “I hope to do the same thing one day.”
Arrowood’s unit returned from Afghanistan in January and will redeploy in spring 2011, he said.
Volunteers enjoyed the event, too. Some were vets themselves, others just veteran anglers willing to teach a few tricks to the soldiers.
“This is my third or fourth soldier event,” said Craig Nels, 27, of Baldwinsville. “I did a few down South at tournaments.”
Nels drove Sgt. Shone Warren, 37. Warren rode with Nels in 2007 and really enjoyed learning more this year about which lures to use and other tips from Nels on the water, Warren said.
“I just think it’s a great way to show these servicemen and women how much we appreciate what they do,” Nels said. “And it’s a great way to show the community how active bass fisherman are.”
Contact Paul Brockwell Jr. at cpbrockwell@syracuse.com.